Harbor Freight

its got lots of good tools but look out for quality, i found a great tool just yesterday its called the "helping" hands its clips with a magnifier attatched but i took that off and now use it to hold parts

I shop at Harbor Freight all the time I do have the extra pair of hands from there and also got their Delux Double Action Airbrush for 20 bucks and am more than pleased with it. I never have any trouble with it other than for large areas the pattern is a bit on the small side. I have a 30 year old binks I use for those areas. I also have their 0.2 hp 3 gal horizontal tank air compresser I use for my painting ( I do my painting indoors). Its perfect, quiet and works much better than the 90 dollar airbrush compressers they sell else where. As was said above you do have to watch what you buy there.

If you are patient MOST everything they sell will eventually go on sale for 20-50% off.

(I've never seen their itty bitty table saw go on sale) 

 

Also, sign up for their email coupons. About once a month you will get a 20% off coupon. This 20% off even applies to on sale items.

Usually its 20% off ONE item. Occassionally it will be 20% off ENTIRE purchase. I always use these for higher priced items.

 

 

 

Rich.Carpenter wrote:

I just found one of their stores 10 minutes from my house. It must not have been there for long, as I'm always driving through that area. Oh....my....gosh....they just made my "favorite stores" list with a bullet! Man, they've got a lot of stuff!

The best "Made in China" tool shop around.

I find that they are an excellent source for small storage separators, which are often on sale at 50% off. I tend to stop in at least once a month.

Don't have a store near me so I use the mail. Been using them for years. You're lucky you can see before you buy. I've had good luck about 90% of the time. Once in a while I have been disapointed with the quality but the price is good.

Jim

I too have a Harbor Freight close by.  Have been buying from them for many years.  Even when I was doing bodywork on cars I used there air tools.  My thought was they might not be the absolute best but when you can buy a die grinder for $12 or less if it dies in 2 years who cares.

Some of their items are a bit cheap in quality. The mechanics tool are just OK.  But for items that you won't use that often the prices can't be beat.  About 10 years ago I bought a 3' extension for a ratchet yes 3 FEET, lets see of Craftsman or SNap On have that.  The Chicago Electric power tools are less then perfect.

Last XMas I bought a airbrush and compressor combo for $79 they both work great.  JOHN

Oh, to be sure, the store is chock full of cheap "Made in China" stuff. But for me, that quality is more than adequate for a lot of my needs. If I were running a construction business, I surely wouldn't buy my power tools there, but for modeling I find a great many of the tools and parts I need can be found there at great prices. As others have said, a lot of money can be saved when you're ok with running across the occasional lemon where inexpensive tools are concerned.

One thing I couldn't find was an in-line air pressure regulator and moisture trap that was designed for lower pressures. They had them on all their hobby compressors, but I didn't see any replacement parts anywhere.

 

Rich.Carpenter wrote:

If I were running a construction business, I surely wouldn't buy my power tools there...

Funny you should say that. I was early to an appoint at a business that was located adjacent to the local HF store. I had to wait a while in the car, so I just watched the people come and go...sad thing, most of the contractors that I saw shopping there would be considered less than reputable by most people seeking to hire a contractor to have work done at their homes or businesses.

 

I use them all the time for cheap wrenches I'm gonna heat and bend to fit a certain bolt I have lots like that and I'm not about to do that to one of my Snap on wrenches plus some of their stuff is pretty good I use there 3/4 inch sockets alot in the field so I dont lose my good ones.plus lotsa crazy little tools I get for modeling. I have a whiz wheel( like a  big air powered dremel for cutting bolts and stuff) that I have had for over 10 years, my Mac one lasted a 1 1/2 years and was like $175 vs. 9.99 go figure. I will say stay away from their consumables ie sand paper,sawzall blades etc... they are junk

John

I too have fabricated some specialty wrenches but heating bending and or grinding. I usually get the hand tools I use for such projects from the local hardware store I used to manage. The store brand tools are made by the same company which produces the tools for (Craftsmen) Sears. The price is affordable and they too have a warranty...and believe it or not they are made domestically, not China.

I figured you have modified tools I remember reading somwhere on your site you worked on small engines and stuff like that. Thats what I do but for a landscaping co. I gotta fix everything from the trucks and plows to a weed eater.

 

John

Have to watch some of the stuff you get there-I bought this filter:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94346

and discovered the drain in the bottom was installed backwards! It was holding the valve in the 'open' position. I took it apart (spent an hour searching for the tiny 'E' clip that held it in that shot across the room) re-assembled it correctly and it still had a slight leak. It was late in the A.M. and said "H*ll with this!" I sealed it permanantly figuring I would just unscrew the resevoir off when it needs draining. Wasn't worth my time to remove it and return it to the store.